OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is poised to make Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane his latest signing at Manchester United.The Norwegian has splurged over £421million on thirteen players since he was appointed permanent manager at Old Trafford back in March 2019.
Yet despite the club becoming a regular feature in the Champions League again, Solskjaer still has no trophy to show for the money spent.
There are genuine hopes that United’s business this summer could enable them to challenge rivals Man City for the Premier League title.
The Red Devils have already signed Jadon Sancho for £73m and have announced a £34.2m agreement for Varane on Tuesday.
But will the two latest high-profile arrivals prove their worth next season? SunSport takes a look at how Solskjaer’s signings have fared so far…
COMPETITION: SPOT THE BALL TO WIN A CAR AND CASH
Dan James – MISS
Solskjaer’s capture of the £15m Welsh speedster from Swansea as his first signing initially looked like a masterstroke.
James scored on his debut for United in a 4-0 win over Chelsea back in 2019 before going on to notch three in his first four games.
But unfortunately, that was as many as the 23-year-old managed for the rest of that season – and he was limited to just 15 appearances last term.
Mason Greenwood’s emergence and Sancho’s arrival has pushed him further down the pecking order and he has been linked with a move away.
Dan James has struggled to make an impact at United despite a good startCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – HIT
The England defender burst onto the scene at Crystal Palace leading United to splash out £50m to sign him after a move for James.
Wan-Bissaka has looked rock-solid in defence but question marks still remain over his contributions in attack, especially his crossing.
Nevertheless, the 23-year-old has already played over 100 times in just two seasons and will no doubt continue to improve – showing that he was worth every penny.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been a consistent presence since joining from Crystal Palace in 2019
Harry Maguire – HIT
The 28-year-old became the world’s most expensive defender after completing his £80m move to United in the summer of 2019.
Since then, Maguire has played a gut-busting 107 times in all competitions and has been almost ever-present but for his injury late in the 2020-21 season.
Yet the ex-Leicester defender then returned to become one of England’s shining lights at the Euros and was named in the team of the tournament.
Also United captain, Maguire is unquestionably one of the first names on the team-sheet and finally looks to have a stable club partner in Varane.
Solskjaer made Harry Maguire his captain shortly after agreeing an £80m deal with Leicester
Bruno Fernandes – HIT
Arguably the best value for money since Solskjaer started spending, Fernandes joined in a £47m deal from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.
Since then, the Portuguese has been involved in a staggering 45 goals in 51 Premier League games and was named in last year’s team of the season.
Fernandes is already back in United training as he looks to bounce back from his country’s Euro 2020 disappointment and win his first Old Trafford trophy.
Bruno Fernandes has become United’s main man since his arrival
Nathan Bishop – JURY’S OUT
The 21-year-old is yet to make a senior appearance for United since he joined for an undisclosed fee from Southend United in January 2020.
Goalkeeper Bishop then put pen to paper on a contract extension a year later, tying him down at Old Trafford until 2023.
There is an option of an extra 12 months, too, for the youngster who has been involved in first-team training but is behind David De Gea, Dean Henderson, and Tom Heaton in the pecking order.
Last month, he joined League Two side Mansfield Town on loan for the 2021/22 season to gain some valuable first-team experience.
Nathan Bishop sealed a loan move to a loan move to EFL outfit Mansfield last month
Donny van de Beek – MISS
The Dutchman recently got a shoutout in SunSport’s worst United XI of the 21st Century such was how torrid his first season in England was.
Although he avoided the humiliation of lining up alongside the likes of Bebe and Alexis Sanchez, it was a mark of how much Van de Beek has struggled in Red so far that he was even mentioned.
He only joined United from Ajax last August in a £39m deal and got off to a flyer when scoring on his debut against Crystal Palace.
However, the midfielder has struggled since and he ended last term having made just four starts out of the club’s 38 Prem games and has been linked with a move away.
Donny van de Beek, 24, has struggled since joining United from Ajax
Facundo Pellistri – JURY’S OUT
SunSport reported this month that United are reassessing the 19-year-old’s place in the squad for next season after he impressed in pre-season.
Pellistri was loaned to Alaves in January after signing for the Red Devils in an £8.5m deal in October, making 12 appearances in La Liga.
Solskjaer had stated his intention was to loan out the Uruguayan once again this summer in order to continue his development.
Yet should he decide to keep hold of Pellistri as a mark of how highly he is rated then the youngster is well on his way to becoming a hit.
Facundo Pellistri, 19, could have a first-team role at United this season
Alex Telles – MISS
A succession of injuries coupled with a world-class season from Luke Shaw has meant the Brazilian hasn’t yet had a strong impact at United.
Telles made just nine Premier League appearances last term after his £15.3m deadline day move from Porto in October.
And he also struggled when given the opportunity – memorably hooked at just half-time of United’s Champions League exit in December.
Telles was in line to start the season at left-back after Shaw’s extended holiday before another injury ruled him out until September.
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Edinson Cavani – HIT
The Uruguayan striker, 34, alleviated any fears over emulating fellow South American Falcao in another striker arriving at United on high wages and past his prime.
Cavani bagged 10 goals and registered three assists in the Prem following his arrival on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in October.
And United were so desperate for him to stay for another season that they offered him £250,000-a-week to keep him out of Boca Juniors’ clutches.
Edinson Cavani, 34, had a good first season and will be at Old Trafford again next termCredit: Reuters
Amad Diallo – JURY’S OUT
The winger, 19, joined United in a £37.7m deal in January and has played a bit-part role since arriving, making eight appearances so far.
He earned a start against Leicester in May and took the opportunity with both hands, impressing with an assist for Mason Greenwood’s goal.
Yet Sancho’s arrival and his hefty price tag will mean the pressure will be on for the former Atalanta starlet to make an impact next campaign, despite his young age.
Amad Diallo, 19, is expected to make an impact at United next season
Tom Heaton – HIT
United confirmed the former Aston Villa goalkeeper has rejoined the club on a free transfer and he will remain a shrewd signing regardless of whether or not he even plays a minute.
Solskjaer couldn’t have asked for better back up to David de Gea and Dean Henderson than the experienced 35-year-old.
Heaton is both a former England international and a veteran of the Prem who carries the added bonus of arriving for nothing, on low wages, and is familiar with the club after he came through its ranks.
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